Finding Aid for the W. Graham Robertson Papers, 1866-1953

Processed by Hilda Bohem; machine-readable finding aid created by Caroline Cubé
© 2004
The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.

Finding Aid for the W. Graham Robertson Papers, 1866-1953

Collection number: 2085

UCLA Library Special Collections

UCLA Library Special Collections staff



Los Angeles, CA
Processed by:
Hilda Bohem, May 1979
Encoded by:
Caroline Cubé
Online finding aid edited by:
Josh Fiala, March 2004
© 2004 The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.

Descriptive Summary

Title: W. Graham Robertson Papers,
Date (inclusive): 1866-1953
Collection number: 2085
Creator: Robertson, W. Graham (Walford Graham), 1866-1948
Extent: 3 boxes (1.5 linear ft.) 1 oversize box
Repository: University of California, Los Angeles. Library Special Collections.
Los Angeles, California 90095-1575
Abstract: W. Graham (Walford Graham) Robertson (1866-1948) was a dramatic author, and author/illustrator of several books, including: Pinkie and the fairies (1908), A masque of May morning, Gold, Frankincense and myrrh, The slippers of Cinderella, and The town of the Ford. The collection contains scrapbooks of clippings about Robertson's work, and photographs of Robertson and actors and actresses such as George Alexander, Ellen Terry, and Mrs. Patrick Campbell.
Physical location: Stored off-site at SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact the UCLA Library Special Collections Reference Desk for paging information.
Language: English.

Administrative Information

Restrictions on Use and Reproduction

Property rights to the physical object belong to the UCLA Library Special Collections. Literary rights, including copyright, are retained by the creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The UC Regents do not hold the copyright.

Restrictions on Access

COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE AT SRLF: Advance notice required for access.

Provenance/Source of Acquisition

Justin G. Schiller, Limited, purchase, 1978.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], W. Graham Robertson Papers (Collection 2085). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library.

UCLA Catalog Record ID

UCLA Catalog Record ID: 2723124 

Biography

Robertson was born on July 8, 1866; his works as a dramatic author include: Pinkie and the fairies (1908), A masque of May morning (1919), and a comic opera titled, The fountain of youth (1929); also wrote and illustrated several books, including: A masque of May morning, Gold, Frankincense and myrrh, The babies' day-book, The slippers of Cinderella, Old Chiddingfold, and The town of the Ford; died in 1948.

Scope and Content

Collection contains scrapbooks of clippings about Robertson's work as a playwright and artist. Also contains approximately 100 photographs of Robertson from birth through his childhood, many of which show him as a young boy performing in theatricals. Includes photographs of fellow actors and actresses, such as George Alexander, Ellen Terry, and Mrs. Patrick Campbell.

Organization and Arrangement

Arranged in the following series:
  1. Photographs (Box 1).
  2. Ephemera and photographs (Box 2).
  3. Scrapbooks (Box 3).
  4. Portraits of W. Graham Robertson (Box 4).

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Robertson, W. Graham (Walford Graham), 1866-1948--Archives.
Dramatists, English--Archival resources.
Photographs.


 

Photographs

Box 1, Folder 1

Portraits of W. Graham Robertson in costume for amateur (?) theatricals.

Scope and Content Note

9 of him alone, 17 of him with other performers.
Box 1, Folder 2

28 portraits of Robertson.

Scope and Content Note

From the time he was a young man through his later years. Several of them are with his dog, Mouton.
Box 1, Folder 3

15 images.

Scope and Content Note

Mostly portraits of Robertson's family and pets, a few views of his home, Sandhills.
Box 1, Folder 4

14 portraits of actors, actresses, and friends of Robertson.

Scope and Content Note

  • 4 of Ellen Terry.
  • 1 of Julia Neilson.
  • 2 of Mrs. Patrick Campbell.
  • 4 of Sir George Alexander.
  • 1 of Miss E. Farren and Mr. E.W. Royce.
  • 1 of Elise Graven.
  • 1 unidentified snapshot.
Box 1, Folder 5

Photograph album.

Physical Description: 21 images.

Scope and Content Note

Beginning with a carte-de-visite of Robertson as in infant in August 1866, showing him at various stages of childhood and adolescence.
 

Ephemera and Photographs

Box 2, Folders 1-2

Scrapbooks of newspaper clippings, 1931.

Scope and Content Note

re W. Graham 2 Robertson's autobiography, Time Was
Box 2, Folders 3-11

Unmounted newspaper clippings.

Scope and Content Note

re various Robertson publications and activities including his gift of some Blake drawings to the Tate Gallery.
Box 2, Folder 12

4 open letters, 1942-1943.

Scope and Content Note

From Swift Newton (son of A. Edward Newton), written about his service with the American Red Cross during the war, distributed by his family to his friends.
Box 2, Folders 13-14

Article about the life of Alberto Martini by Vitorio Pica.

Scope and Content Note

Typescript and galleys, written in French.
Included are 6 photographs of Martini illustrations for works of Edgar Allen Poe.
Box 2, Folder 15

Manuscript and article on Lithography by Aloys Senefelder.

Scope and Content Note

Published in The Art Chronicle, December 1913.
Box 2, Folder 16

The Studio, November 15, 1905.

Scope and Content Note

Contains an article on Robertson's work by T. Martin Wood.
Box 2, Folder 17

Snapshot album.

Physical Description: 23 images.

Scope and Content Note

Contains a few photographs of Robertson with his dogs, but mostly photographs of small children, possibly used as studies for his drawings.
 

Scrapbooks

Box 3, Folder 1

Scrapbook.

Scope and Content Note

re World War I, articles possibly written by Robertson as special news correspondent, published anonymously.
Box 3, Folder 2

Scrapbook, 1953.

Scope and Content Note

re 2 posthumous publications, a book on Robertson's Blake Collection and Letters from Graham Robertson.
Box 3, Folder 3

Scrapbook, 1929-31.

Scope and Content Note

re Robertson's plays for children.
Box 3, Folder 4

Scrapbook, 1932-43.

Scope and Content Note

re Robertson's plays for children.
Box 3, Folder 5

“The Studio,” June 15, 1908.

Scope and Content Note

Article mentioning and a re-production of “Mdlle. X” by Robertson.
Box 3, Folder 5

Catalog issued by Grafton Galleries, June 5-July 11, 1914.

Scope and Content Note

Contains works by Robertson.
Pkg. I

7 portraits of W. Graham Robertson at different ages.